KARACHI, Oct 15: The newly-introduced Lahore Express started operation on Monday from Karachi, when it steamed out from the Cantonment Railway Station on its maiden journey for Lahore, after formal inauguration on Monday morning.

The Divisional Superintendent Railway, Karachi Division, Abdul Wahab Awan, along with senior divisional officers, bade farewell to the profusely-decorated train at 6:30am.

Later, at 8:30am, the divisional superintendent also saw off Shalimar Express which would now run between Karachi and Multan.

He said that the running time of 27-Up Lahore Express, which consists of 17 coaches, including two AC parlours, two lower AC coaches and remaining economy class coaches, a dining car and a power van, has been cut by over two hours. Its coaches have been refurbished and renovated at the Mughalpura workshop in Lahore.

Lahore Express will have only one stop at Hyderabad, besides three technical stops at Kotri, Rohri and Khanewal stations, reaching Lahore the same day at 10:30pm.

The 105-Up Shalimar Express will also depart from Cantt Station at 8:30am and reach Multan the same day at 9:40pm.

It may be pointed out that earlier, Shalimar Express was being operated between Karachi and Lahore, but after its replacement with Lahore Express, it will now cater to the growing passenger traffic for Multan.

Shalimar Express will compose of six economy-class coaches, one parlour car and one lower AC coach, besides a power van.

Mr Awan hoped that introduction of the new Lahore Express and re-routing of Shalimar Express will greatly help cope with passenger traffic on the one hand, and bring profitability to the railways on the other.—APP